[GH-ISSUE #1838] Ability to choose exit node in client apps #3470

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opened 2026-08-05 00:52:34 -04:00 by saavagebueno · 14 comments
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Originally created by @svardie on GitHub (Apr 12, 2024).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/1838

It would be super nice to be able to choose preffered exit node or none in client apps.

Right now exit nodes implemented in desktop apps, but only way to control it is from netbird management server. Some users want their traffic to exit through VPN, some are not. Currently there is no easy solution for both.

Describe the solution you'd like
Ability for clients to choose prereffrable exit-node or none in client app.

Originally created by @svardie on GitHub (Apr 12, 2024). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/1838 It would be super nice to be able to choose preffered exit node or none in client apps. Right now exit nodes implemented in desktop apps, but only way to control it is from netbird management server. Some users want their traffic to exit through VPN, some are not. Currently there is no easy solution for both. **Describe the solution you'd like** Ability for clients to choose prereffrable exit-node or none in client app.
saavagebueno added the feature-request label 2026-08-05 00:52:34 -04:00
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@vallabhvrao commented on GitHub (May 15, 2024):

This is the only feature currently stopping me to move from tailscale to netbird, is this planned yet ?

<!-- gh-comment-id:2113596202 --> @vallabhvrao commented on GitHub (May 15, 2024): This is the only feature currently stopping me to move from tailscale to netbird, is this planned yet ?
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@mlsmaycon commented on GitHub (May 16, 2024):

@vallabhvrao @svardie, you can select a route, including the exit node, using the route selection option. See more at: https://docs.netbird.io/how-to/resolve-overlapping-routes#how-to-use-the-route-selection-feature

This option is supported in all clients except android.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2114255505 --> @mlsmaycon commented on GitHub (May 16, 2024): @vallabhvrao @svardie, you can select a route, including the exit node, using the route selection option. See more at: https://docs.netbird.io/how-to/resolve-overlapping-routes#how-to-use-the-route-selection-feature This option is supported in all clients except android.
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@vallabhvrao commented on GitHub (May 16, 2024):

Awesome! That explains why I couldn't see it on the android app. Thank you very much, I'll wait for the android release :)

<!-- gh-comment-id:2114266123 --> @vallabhvrao commented on GitHub (May 16, 2024): Awesome! That explains why I couldn't see it on the android app. Thank you very much, I'll wait for the android release :)
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@j007bond007 commented on GitHub (Jun 21, 2024):

This would be a HUGE milestone. Personally, I have users that would only like to use the Netbird Android app to connect to services not available on the internet, but there's instances (E.g. at a coffee shop, airport, other country) where it's useful to protect yourself by using an Exit node. This feature of course needs to be very user friendly "Route all traffic" or "Full Tunnel vs Partial Tunnel mode"

<!-- gh-comment-id:2183338515 --> @j007bond007 commented on GitHub (Jun 21, 2024): This would be a HUGE milestone. Personally, I have users that would only like to use the Netbird Android app to connect to services not available on the internet, but there's instances (E.g. at a coffee shop, airport, other country) where it's useful to protect yourself by using an Exit node. This feature of course needs to be very user friendly "Route all traffic" or "Full Tunnel vs Partial Tunnel mode"
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@KampfCaspar commented on GitHub (Oct 5, 2024):

+1
On all clients, I would like the user to have the OPTION to use an exit node - if and when he so chooses. Currently, exit nodes seem either to be either 'on' by default or not available at all. Available but not 'on by default' is missing.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2394995829 --> @KampfCaspar commented on GitHub (Oct 5, 2024): +1 On all clients, I would like the user to have the OPTION to use an exit node - if and when he so chooses. Currently, exit nodes seem either to be either 'on' by default or not available at all. Available but not 'on by default' is missing.
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@Oriann commented on GitHub (Oct 14, 2024):

+1
Waiting for this feature on Android devices, please do it 😌

<!-- gh-comment-id:2411653735 --> @Oriann commented on GitHub (Oct 14, 2024): +1 Waiting for this feature on Android devices, please do it 😌
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@markcst commented on GitHub (Dec 27, 2024):

@vallabhvrao @svardie, you can select a route, including the exit node, using the route selection option. See more at: https://docs.netbird.io/how-to/resolve-overlapping-routes#how-to-use-the-route-selection-feature

This option is supported in all clients except android.

+1. Please, add this feature, it's one of those crucial feature.

Don't discriminate the Android client, please, it's not a wise choice

<!-- gh-comment-id:2563740962 --> @markcst commented on GitHub (Dec 27, 2024): > @vallabhvrao @svardie, you can select a route, including the exit node, using the route selection option. See more at: https://docs.netbird.io/how-to/resolve-overlapping-routes#how-to-use-the-route-selection-feature > > This option is supported in all clients except android. +1. Please, add this feature, it's one of those crucial feature. Don't discriminate the Android client, please, it's not a wise choice
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@Catching2520 commented on GitHub (Dec 27, 2024):

+1 I would also very much appreciate this feature. Are there any news on this? Thank you very much!

<!-- gh-comment-id:2564093609 --> @Catching2520 commented on GitHub (Dec 27, 2024): +1 I would also very much appreciate this feature. Are there any news on this? Thank you very much!
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@slimshizn commented on GitHub (Mar 19, 2025):

Any update on this? Seems android is lagging behind in updates.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2737052898 --> @slimshizn commented on GitHub (Mar 19, 2025): Any update on this? Seems android is lagging behind in updates.
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@melonhaus commented on GitHub (Jun 26, 2025):

Hey, any update on this potential feature for android clients? It's the single feature thats missing from netbird that'd keeping me on headscale/tailscale

<!-- gh-comment-id:3010255403 --> @melonhaus commented on GitHub (Jun 26, 2025): Hey, any update on this potential feature for android clients? It's the single feature thats missing from netbird that'd keeping me on headscale/tailscale
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@optimist555 commented on GitHub (Oct 12, 2025):

+1 Please consider implementing this important feature.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3394001722 --> @optimist555 commented on GitHub (Oct 12, 2025): +1 Please consider implementing this important feature.
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@crazifyngers commented on GitHub (Dec 9, 2025):

This has been implemented in android

<!-- gh-comment-id:3630481414 --> @crazifyngers commented on GitHub (Dec 9, 2025): This has been implemented in android
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@GrahamJenkins commented on GitHub (Mar 24, 2026):

I was looking for this feature and found this issue. Myself and at least one other user have encountered difficulties actually using this. Android client issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/android-client/issues/25
The short version is that:

  • Documentation is lacking and unclear
  • Exit Nodes don't reliably show up under routes
<!-- gh-comment-id:4122596655 --> @GrahamJenkins commented on GitHub (Mar 24, 2026): I was looking for this feature and found this issue. Myself and at least one other user have encountered difficulties actually using this. Android client issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/android-client/issues/25 The short version is that: - Documentation is lacking and unclear - Exit Nodes don't reliably show up under routes
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@PizzaLovingNerd commented on GitHub (Jun 5, 2026):

Client-side exit node/route selection is implemented, including on Android. Any remaining Android visibility or documentation problems should be tracked as separate Android/docs bugs. Cheers!

<!-- gh-comment-id:4636121982 --> @PizzaLovingNerd commented on GitHub (Jun 5, 2026): Client-side exit node/route selection is implemented, including on Android. Any remaining Android visibility or documentation problems should be tracked as separate Android/docs bugs. Cheers!
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Reference: DYNR/netbird#3470